September 13, 2026 -- Hebrews 10:24-25, II Timothy 3:1-9 -- Gathering each Sunday strengthening the eyes of faith

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25 

Scripture reading: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

How does faith convince you we are in the last days before Jesus returns with all His holy ones? The list in 2 Timothy is pretty damning of our world. If you look at Scripture and compare it with the world, with the destructive habits and waywardness of the human heart, you know these are the last days. It’s easy to lose hope and wonder, is God really Lord over all of this?

No wonder Hebrews encourages believers to join with other believers in church. This is vital as the sinfulness of the world is all around us. As believers, we hold fast to our confession that Christ the Lord is risen and is seated in power at the Father’s right hand. The following is a gross illustration, but effective. When you have a generalized infection leading to a boil in the skin, the infection needs to be gathered. If you poke the boil prematurely, much of the infection is still dispersed. If you wait until the boil is full, and the infectiousness is gathered, all the vileness comes out when it is lanced. Think of the latter days in this way. The poisonous evil is gathering. Jesus is patiently waiting for the Day of His return when He will, with one stroke defeat evil.

Mature Christians must stir up young Christians to love and do good works. When the days seem darkest, the light of Christ that shines forth from us is especially powerful to those accustomed to darkness. Every Sunday, believers see the Day of Jesus’ victory drawing nearer.

Suggestions for prayer

Pray for leaders and governments and all in authority, that they may recognize the Lordship of Jesus Christ; plead with the Spirit for believers to be renewed in confident hope of Christ’s sure victory at the Day of His return.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 12, 2026 -- I Corinthians 15:50-58 -- Wholehearted Service to God

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58 

Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Death has been defeated. Christ, our Savior, has taken away God’s curse against your sin and has opened the way to life. In Jesus’ resurrection power, we are called to live out our Christian faith with boldness. In light of these facts, Christians are steadfast, resolved in heart and mind, to serve Jesus. Serving Jesus is not decided on a case-by-case basis depending on the circumstances. We will obey Jesus and live for Him, no matter what the day brings. Next, we are immovable: stubbornly prepared to serve Jesus rather than being swayed by the impulses and temptations of the world. We will do all that is required of us with joy. We are not ungenerous in our work, or sullen in our attitude. No! We are abounding in the work of the Lord knowing He has supplied and is supplying all our needs.

“Wait”, you might be protesting, “I don’t experience this!” Have you dedicated yourself fully in service to God, or are you 75% God’s and 25% serving yourself and your needs? Look at your life and consider what kind of fruit you are bearing. If you are selfish, worldly, or toying with being okay with your peers six days a week and one day a week appearing to be Christian, then you are not fully trusting in Jesus. A mentor to the North helps his mentee to discern areas of weakness, and by the strength of the Spirit shore these up. A good mentor celebrates every victory which his mentee experiences in Christ.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask the Father to give you patience as you mentor your children or your mentee; the faults that might bother you the most are likely ones you wrestle with yourself, so they’ll be obvious and perhaps painful. Ask for the grace of God to guide you in reconciling the work of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 11, 2026 -- Philippians 1:27-30, 2:8-10a -- Training your mentee to the south

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” – Philippians 2:8-10a 

Scripture reading: Philippians 1:27-30

For the early years of my ministry as an ordained minister, I was assigned a mentor. I had all the information my seminary training could stuff into me but, there is a big difference between knowing a thing and putting what you know into practice. Praise God that the mentor assigned to me, my mentor to the North, was godly, patient, gently humorous, and faithful in meeting regularly. Learning to laugh at ourselves keeps pride away. Appropriate humor can take the sting out of correction.

Look at what Paul commands the Philippians. Their lives are to be worthy of the gospel of Jesus. It is easy to be a Christian while you engage in your morning devotions, but hard to put your faith into practice when you are facing an enemy who wants to hurt you. Paul was writing the Philippians from prison. He knew the hardships of living in obedience to Jesus, while others reviled him.

As a mentor to the North, caring for a new Christian—a mentee to the South—listen to the challenges he is facing. Explain how you worked through your own failures in Christian living. Encourage the person with whom you’re meeting to do the next right thing. Help your mentee to overcome fear by learning to see Jesus as Paul describes Him in Philippians 2, the reigning King before Whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess Him Lord. Regularly instruct your mentee that being a Christian means being willing to suffer for the glorious Name of Jesus.

Suggestions for prayer

It is a great challenge to leave one’s life of sin and live in obedience to Jesus. Pray for those who are new Christians, that they will grow strong in the Lord and find deep, warm, Christian fellowship.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 10, 2026 -- Philippians 2:22, Psalm 16 -- Finding a mentor to the North

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.” – Philippians 2:22 

Scripture reading: Psalm 16:1-11

A friend of mine is learning a skilled trade. He looked around for someone who is experienced, knows the trade well and then asked for help. He is apprenticing under an experienced man, who recognized someone who was committed to working hard.

Notice how the Psalmist describes God—his refuge, apart from Whom he has no good thing. Here is a suggestion on how to find a strong mentor to the North.

Begin with knowing your goal. Will you be a Sunday-only Christian? Commit yourself in faithfulness to Jesus.

Pray that God will lead you to the right mentor, someone who has expertise in an area you’re interested in, or a Christian with whom you find it easy to talk to.

Seek out a mature Christian who has faithfully served Jesus for many more years than you have. Look for someone who walks with integrity in public and in private. That is what the psalmist calls “the excellent ones” Why? Their commitment to God has matured through faithful service to God over the long haul. They have much to teach you.

Ask that person to mentor you. Explain how you want help to grow as a Christian. Come with your questions and the conundrums you’re facing. Listen to advice.

Set up a regular once a week, hour-long meeting. Give yourself a target of seven meetings. If, after seven meetings, it is not working out, then either the mentor or you, the mentee, can pull out of the meetings. If it is working out well, make a commitment to seven more meetings.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask God for a mentor to the North. If you are a strong, mature Christian, ask God to prepare you to be a mentor to others. If you are already a mentor to others, ask God to make you ready to help others who are new to this way of thinking.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 9, 2026 -- Hebrews 2:1, Romans 7:19-23 -- Training in new life

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” – Hebrews 2:1 

Scripture reading: Romans 7:19-23

So much of life is habit and routine. You brush your teeth at set times. You have a laundry, cleaning or chores day. Interestingly, sin is a habit and routine for those who are in its thrall. Those early steps of trying out sin, experimenting with evil, soon give way to being drawn to sin. I need it. Heeding it. Perpetuating it. The wages of sin is death.

When a Christian is set free from sin and becomes a slave to God, he has a new master. Paul points the Romans to their new master: Jesus. Here’s a great example. Those who were formerly alcoholics and now desire to live as a sober person will often have a sponsor. The sponsor will guide that person in a new way; that’s what a Christian mentor does. When facing temptation, how does one pray? Desiring to grow, how does one read the Bible? How can a Christian be fruitful in a life that leads to sanctification, a life that grows in holiness and conformity to God’s will?

In Hebrews 2 Paul gives an urgent warning not to drift away from what we have heard and been taught as followers of Jesus Christ. The devil is a subtle master at luring people away from their commitment to Jesus. It is often small compromises and insignificant seeming sins that will drag a Christian down. A wise mentor, who knows the frailty of the human heart, the wiles of sin, and the greater grace of God, will be most helpful at that precise moment.

Suggestions for prayer

That God will show you your old patterns of sin, that still cling to you like burrs; For the Holy Spirit to renew your desire to walk in holiness.

September 8, 2026 -- Isaiah 66:1-2 & II Chronicles 24:1-3; 15-22 -- Are you a bad or good mentee?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”” – Isaiah 66:1-2 

Scripture reading: 2 Chronicles 24:1-3; 15-22

Times of transition in life are the times when the man or woman of God is most in need of a solid, biblical mentor. Consider King Joash. He ascended the throne of Judah when he was only seven years old. Under the priest Jehoiada’s tutelage, Joash reigned with wisdom and rebuilt the house of the LORD. Then Jehoiada died. King Joash surrounded himself with sycophants, “yes men”, who pulled his heart away from the LORD.

It is a circumstance that is familiar in our world, too. Young men hitting high school might think their peers are better advisors than their parents. To their detriment they abandon the Christian wisdom of their parents. Young moms are overwhelmed, but instead of receiving the wise advice of older matrons in the faith, they resent such advisors.

As a minister there have been many times I’ve been privileged to sit at the bedside of an elderly Christian, who in the last labored hours of life still testified to the goodness of God. Today’s youth are often shielded from death, as if it is too scary, too graphic (though that notion should be dismissed by the violence of gaming and movies, those same youth are already imbibing!).From earliest days, to the end of life, our lives are poured out for the glory of God. As those who have been brought from death to life in Christ, we must be led in the paths of righteousness. Mentors raised up by God are all around you. Are you humble enough to receive instruction?

Suggestions for prayer: Do you tremble at the word of God? Do you have a humble spirit? Do you readily confess your sins and seek the forgiveness of God? Pray for the Spirit of God to give you holy discernment so that you will be ready, and humble enough to be teachable, when God provides you a mentor.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 7, 2026 -- II Timothy 1:1-2 -- The Mentor to the North

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” –2 Timothy 1:1-2 

Scripture reading: Exodus 32:7-29

Years ago a colleague in the ministry taught me about compass mentoring. Just like a compass has the four points of north, south, east, and west, so a Christian should have points of contact in his walk with God. The first point of contact is north. Each Christian should have a mentor to the north, who is more experienced in the Christian faith than you are. This can be someone who is more knowledgeable in a specialized area where you need to grow. My mentor was a fellow chaplain who had much experience. He helped me to navigate the challenges of being a strong Christian, ministering in a secular environment. He’d listen and offer helpful suggestions in difficult situations. Most importantly, we’d pray together.

The Bible is filled with references of believers who are mentored by senior, more experienced men. Did you realize that Moses, when he received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, had Joshua with him? Our brief passage shows how Joshua learned so much from Moses: how to be in the presence of the LORD God (verse 7), how to pray for the wayward, rebellious people (verse11), how to lead with justice and compassion (verses 25 to 29), and how to confront a fellow leader, as Moses expressed his just anger against Aaron (verse 21ff).

How many examples of younger men being mentored by more experienced believers can you think of? (Just to get you started, the passage above gives you a New Testament example of a mature believer mentoring a younger one.

Suggestions for prayer

Give thanks to God for the beauty of the word; praise God for the blessing of mentors and those being mentored (also known as mentees) in homes, Christian schools, seminaries and so on.

September 6, 2026 -- Psalm 42:1-11 -- Vital Preaching

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship…” – Acts 2:42

Scripture reading: Psalm 42:1-11

“That is my longing for our day—and for you. That God would raise up thousands

of broken-hearted, Bible-saturated preachers who are dominated by a sense of

the greatness and the majesty and the holiness of God, revealed in the gospel of

Christ crucified and risen and reigning with absolute authority over every nation

and every army and every false religion and every terrorist and every tsunami and

every cancer cell, and every galaxy in the universe.” — John Piper, “Why Expositional Preaching Is Particularly Glorifying to God” (April 26, 2002)

The psalmist, worn down by grief and reports of evil days, was longing for God. The remembrance of days when he used to lead throngs in procession at the house of God, strengthened him. The quotation from John Piper, reminds the believer why preaching in worship is critical. Our God reigns. He has set His Son on the throne of power.

Believers through-out the ages devote themselves to preaching, to hearing the word explained. There are so many soul-crushing news reports: Christians hear of persecution. The needs around us compel us to fix our eyes on Jesus. Only after our souls have been stirred, fed, and revived in Jesus, can we disciple others with fervor that sees the dominance of Christ in every aspect of life.

Saints of old blessed God because they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. Believers rejoice in persecutions, because these prove our dependence on Christ. Today, we know we are closer to the return of Jesus. Preaching is vital for the health of every believer.

Suggestions for prayer

Give thanks to God for the preacher He has raised up in your church. Pray for the congregations around you that are seeking pastors to lead them, that God will fill that pulpit, blessing and educating His people in the way of righteousness.

September 5, 2026 -- Matthew 7:7-8a -- Preparing for Sunday

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who seeks finds…” – Matthew 7:7-8a 

Scripture reading: Psalm 1:1-6

Tomorrow is Sunday. When I was young, it was common for families to prepare for worship. There were shoes to be polished, Sunday clothes laid out, and shirts ironed. Many women prepared the Sunday meal in advance, so it only needed to be heated up the next day. Why all this work on Saturday? Because Sunday was a day of rest to delight in God and receive His instruction.

Sunday is the day believers are to be prepared to ask the Spirit of God all things which are necessary for life in Christ. If you are rushing right up to Sunday morning, pulling your shoes on as you hop out the door and grab a coffee from a drive-through before going to church, you will arrive at church breathless, distracted and unprepared for the blessings in store.

Look at the calm serenity of the man of Psalm 1. He has distanced himself from the ungodly. He has begun to meditate on the Law of the Lord. When the people of God gather, he will be steeped in the word of God, acquainted with His will, and ready to ask God for whatever is needful for life in a whirlwind world that is opposed to God.

Perhaps Sundays have lost that aspect of delight for you? How prepared are you to receive from the hand of God His blessings? Have you separated yourself from the world, so that by delighting in Jesus, you are re-charged and ready to declare His goodness to everyone you meet in the coming week?

Suggestions for prayer

Spirit of God, teach me to prepare for the Sunday so that I may be ready to receive the blessings the Father has prepared for me in Christ. Ask that your joyful anticipation of Sunday may be an inspiration to others.

September 4, 2026 -- Proverbs 11:30 -- Soul Winners

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit’s power: Sh’ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and whoever wins souls is wise.” – Proverbs 11:30 

Scripture reading: Isaiah 53:7-12

You might be thinking, I’m just a kid or an adult who’s never had children. How is this series on discipleship going to impact me? The Proverbs teach us that anyone who wins souls is wise. Such soul winning does not necessarily come by doing door-to-door evangelism. As you live a righteous life, one who believes and lives for Jesus out of the fullness of salvation in Him, others will see you and be drawn to your testimony.

Secondly, Jesus never married or had biological children, yet the Father inspired Isaiah the prophet to declare that Jesus would see His offspring. Because through faith in Jesus, many will be accounted righteous and be called sons and daughters of God. And, in a sense, we are also children of Jesus because we are His disciples. What a glorious truth. Every single person can be fruitful, and lead many to Jesus. That is the greatest fruitfulness in any life.

Daniel impacted an empire. There is no mention of his children, or his being married. Many of his contemporaries saw his faith and believed in God. Anna, the prophetess was always in the temple worshiping God. She was married for seven years, was a widow for decades, with no mention of her having children, and lived to see the infant Jesus. Her life was a tremendous witness to the Jews in the temple who heard her rejoice over Jesus. As you tell others about Jesus, you are building a legacy that is great and brings glory to Jesus.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask the Holy Spirit to build into your life a hunger for righteousness and a zeal to walk with Jesus. Pray that your life will be a living testimony to Jesus, bright as a lighthouse to those who are lost and seeking new life.

September 3, 2026 -- Colossians 1:12-14 -- Renewed Love

“…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” – Colossians 1:12-14 

Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

The Scripture reading today is called “The Shema”. The command ‘hear’ in English, is the translation of the Hebrew word ‘sh’ma’, and it carries the sense that a person should hear and obey. Throughout the centuries, devout Jews have begun and ended their day by reciting Deuteronomy 6:4-5. That practice emphasizes the work of parents. The most important work in all life is to acknowledge God as Sovereign over all of one’s life. The LORD is to be feared, praised, honoured and adored.

The next emphasis of the Sh’ma is that those who belong to the LORD are to love the LORD. Our lives are to be consumed with the sole (and soul) purpose of expressing to God the Father our deepest love. The guide to such love is found in obedience to His commandments which He has given them as a rule for life and the path of thanksgiving.

Do you find your enthusiasm waning? Is training up your children in the LORD a lack-lustre enterprise? You must ask yourself this: “Am I myself overwhelmed with love and awe at the loving-kindness God demonstrated when He rescued me from death and brought me into the kingdom of the Son He loves?” If your own experience of faith is not Spirit-fueled, then the task of teaching your children will be hard slogging. Perhaps, for the remainder of this month, recite the Sh’ma, Deuteronomy 6:4-5 morning and evening. Pray for the Spirit to revive your love for God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask the Spirit of God to transform your personal Bible reading times so that the Word becomes for you living, powerful and rich. Ask God to help you to count your blessings and to see the evidence of His grace poured out in your life so that you will have a greater zeal in holy service.

September 2, 2026 -- Proverbs 1:8-10 -- Why is it always about sons?

“Hear my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, they are a graceful garland for your head and a pendant for your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” – Proverbs 1:8-10 

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-3

I can hear folks protesting: why is it always sons? The focus in these verses is on training sons within the household. A couple of things are important to note. Sons are disciplined throughout their youth to be the head of the family. This was ordained by the LORD in the Garden of Eden. Husbands and fathers are to be a blessing to the members of their family.

A son who has been trained to grow in the knowledge of the LORD has been equipped to be a faithful husband and a diligent father. A wise woman would do well to look at her potential husband’s family. Are there family devotions? Can you see that his family does more than pay lip service to God? Is their faith more than a “Sunday-only” event?

A man who has been raised in the ways of God will seek a godly wife. The promise of God is that a man and a woman who are married are one flesh. It is meant to be true in their educational focus as well. A man well-instructed in the ways of wisdom will seek out a wife who is herself wise to God.

Raising children is challenging. If a man and a woman do not know the statutes and rules of God but are committed to raising their children in them, their marriage is going to face challenges. Sons who fear the LORD and demonstrate this in everyday life are good for society and ripe for the marriage market.

Suggestions for prayer

Think of the young men and women in your family, or in your church, or around you at school and pray for wisdom in choosing a husband (or a wife). Husband and wife, continually pray for your children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren that they may know and serve Jesus.

September 1, 2026 -- Proverbs 5:1-2 -- The Seed of Vision Planted

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit’s Power: Sh’ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

The seed of vision planted

“My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.” – Proverbs 5:1-2

Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-3

The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. Their sons were drowned in the Nile. The LORD their God rescued them, and guided them even after they’d refused to enter the promised land, a sin which cost the lives of all that generation (except Joshua and Caleb). Now, at the edge of the Promised Land, Moses offers his final teaching before he dies, and Joshua and the new leaders will bring the people into the Land.

The people of God are commanded to teach their sons and grandsons the laws of God daily, so that they may live in a blessed relationship with their covenant-keeping God in the Promised Land. They are to do so because their children are image-bearers of their heavenly King. Parents are given their life’s goal: to teach their children and descendants to know and love God and serve Him. Children taught in this way will be called the children of promise (spoken of in God’s covenant to Abram Genesis 15:1ff). Look at the promises which attend this command. The people will multiply greatly. They will live securely in the land flowing with milk and honey.

Each family is a building block of society. As the families are committed to teaching the way of God to their children, it is expected that the knowledge of the LORD will be the fragrance that wafts from each home, entering the market and the public square and ultimately serving as a powerful witness of the glory of God to all the nations around them.

Suggestions for prayer

If perhaps you find you have been slacking a bit in teaching your children the way of the LORD, it might be a good day to recommit to this. If you are well focused on this, ask the Spirit how you might be an encouragement to others who are struggling.

From devotional: Nearer to God

Richard Vander Vaart is this month’s writer

Theme: Discipleship

August 31, 2026 -- Psalm 96:9 -- Worship--what is it?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!
Psalm 96:9 ESV
 
What is worship? What follows is a partial list, a reflection of what it means to worship God.

• It is a life-long conversation with God. There are formal times when we pray to God. It is our speaking to God.

• There are informal times of prayer as well. When we’re driving and we happen to see a glorious sunset and we say, “God, You’re amazing”.

• When we read the Bible, it is God speaking to us. He has stooped to our weakness; the infinite God of all creation knows you and me by name. He has made a way open for us to know Him, hear Him, and be directed by His Holy Spirit. It is worship to hear the voice of God in the Word.

• Worship means we sing to God. I know that we can be self-conscious, but it amazes me how easily people will sing rock anthems, or love songs, but are too embarrassed to sing the praises of God Who made us. Remember how Moses argued with God and said, “I can’t be Your voice to Pharaoh because I speak with stutters?” God answered: “Who made your mouth and lips?” The obvious answer is: “You did”. So, with whatever talent, or lack of talent you have, praise God with your voice.

• We give our gifts and offerings to Him we are worshipping God. We recognize what we place in the offering plate sanctifies, makes holy, whatever we have. But we also give out there in the world. If we see our brother or sister in need, but don’t help, then we are no better than the pagans.

• Worship also takes place on Sundays, when believers get together. This is a formal time of removing all hinderances and distractions and together looking to Jesus, the Author and Perfector of all true believing.

• Worship is adoring Jesus, in Whom we have been reconciled to God. Jesus’ blood covered our sins. Jesus’ blood turns aside God’s just anger against our sins, past, present, and future. Worship is declaring: “Jesus, You are all my joy”.

 
Oh God, I am Yours. What a privilege that is. If I understood more fully the greatness of the privilege of belonging to You, words of worship would never stop flowing from my lips! As it is, I confess how faint is my praise, how few my songs of adoration and how flimsy my faith is. Spirit of God, renew in me the knowledge of Jesus and restore to me the joy of my salvation. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/UoHrBNTfzIs?si=UlWUhR2v2iBcMXKs Gratitude
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

August 30, 2026 -- Jeremiah 7:11 -- Putting yourself out there

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Has this house, which is called by My Name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the LORD. Jeremiah 7:11 ESV
 
Jesus quoted this text when He cleansed the temple (Matthew 21:13). The words are strong condemnation against the people of God. A den of robbers is a place where thieves go to split their profits. A den of robbers is a place that thieves figure is safe from the pursuing authorities or fellow thieves. The point is the people had neglected to honour the temple of the LORD as holy. Even as the LORD is holy. They were acting as if God could not see the abomination of their ways. An abomination is something vile, disgusting, sickening and rebellious against the perfections of the Living God.
 
The temple is the LORD’s house. When you enter someone else’s house, you want to make sure you follow the rules and habits of the home. It is part of being a good guest. You know that some homes require you remove your shoes. Other times, especially if it was a rainy and muddy day, you automatically remove your soiled shoes. It is a courtesy. You sit where the host directs you. Perhaps in the kitchen. Maybe in the living room. But it is the host who decides this. So it is with the Lord’s house. People are appropriately attired. It is God’s house, not a beach or a backyard. People are called upon to observe the rules of God’s house. It is a grand and mighty privilege to meet with the Living God. We do not command Him. We do not summon Him. We do not tell Him what to do and what not to do. We are the supplicants; the ones seeking an audience with the Glorious One Who alone lives in unapproachable Light. He has made the way open for relationship with Himself. So, in humble awe, we meet with our King following His protocols.
 
The LORD Himself sees everything you do and everything in you. How are you prepared for worship today? Are you going to the house of the Lord? Are you going with joy? Are you neglecting to go to worship God—have you made idols in your life to serve them instead? If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, He has cleansed your heart—like He cleansed the temple in Jerusalem. The question now is, with what are you filling your heart?
 
Spirit of God expose to me the true condition of my heart. Reveal to me the competing priorities which easily trump my soul’s greatest need—which is to know Jesus as the Treasure of my Soul. I know I was designed to bring honour, praise and glory to God. Any other endeavor will leave me twisted, like when I try to use a butter knife to turn a screw. Since this is the purpose You have ordained for my life, help me to serve Jesus without reservation or complaint. As I do O God, my Father, let the magnificence of Your grace, demonstrated to me in Christ, be my all in all. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/FgFn7fFLVG8?si=cMoAgCyjI6FqqMWe Your Grace Still Amazes Me
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

August 28, 2026 -- Proverbs 14:23 -- What keeps you from poverty?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk tends only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:23 ESV
 
This particular word for toil isn’t used very often in the Bible (six times for those who like to count such things!). The first time is when Eve is told she will toil, or have pain, in childbearing. Interestingly the toil of childbearing produces the wonderful gift of birthing a child. Hard work is itself a reward. Such a blessing to have something useful and productive to do. What hard work produces is also a reward.
 
What is mere talk like? Consider how many young men waste their lives on video games. Think about how many young women waste their lives chasing the latest fashion. It is talk that leads to poverty. You feel busy, but you aren’t. You are going around in circles and spending yourself for nothing. A vapor. There are so many examples of idle talking: weather, sports, news and so on. There are examples of wicked speech, which destroys: gossip, slander, malicious reporting.
 
When Jesus invites a man, or a woman, to follow Him, He calls them to profitable toil. Some will be evangelists, calling people from the mere talk that is bringing them to poverty of life poverty of future hope, and poverty of soul. Some will be teachers, who educate the curious in the ways of Jesus. Others will be given the gift of hospitality, so that ones received by Jesus will have food, lodging and proper care. Others have the gift of mercy—helping to heal wounds and restore community. Others have the gift of helping—financially, or fixing things that have been broken so that the formerly shriveled soul can now live in true community. Others will preach. Others will organize community so that people newly received can connect with those who have been members of long-standing.
 
Father in heaven, when You bring someone to Yourself, it is to enfold that one into Your family. There are so many avenues of welcome. You have given gifts to Your people so that all newcomers can be received, discipled, and mature in our holy faith. Forgive us for fields unwon. Forgive us for work undone. Forgive us for desiring exclude others because selfishly we only want to serve ourselves, people who we deem to be “our people” or like us. As You have brought us close in Christ, and equipped us with Your Spirit, renew in us a vigorous vision to receive others. Fix our eyes on Jesus, the lover of our souls, the Captain of Salvation, and Him Who is the Desired of all Nations. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/xd28CiLalec?si=j8WQsvyCKGFfWgCF Psalm 113 The Glory and Condescension of God
 

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August 27, 2026 -- Proverbs 14:22 -- Devising good

Do they not go astray who devise evil?

Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:22 ESV

A commentary notes that a question has a way of getting past your defenses and digging into your mind so that the teaching is intensified. Look again, the first part of today’s text is a question. Digging into your past. Asking you to look around you and see if you can uncover examples of the truth of the statement. Moving on, to devise evil is to work with it, like a carpenter works with his tools to build something, like an engraver works with metals to produce brilliant designs. Devising evil takes effort. You put sweat equity into it and are a lesser man for it. Evil is not something you just fall into. It is something you plan, you prepare for, you meditate on. When the opportunity for evil presents itself, you are primed and ready to execute it.

The man of God plans, prepares for, and meditates on the good. Guided by the word of God, filled with the Spirit, bad plans, wayward designs and sin are intrusions to the good he wants to accomplish. While the bad is still easily correctable, or the temptation to sin is small, the one devising good man discards the bad. He knows a little evil will destroy years of hard work and crush a reputation. He makes good plans to obey God by knowing the word and putting it into action. He devises good, thinking how he can help his neighbour. The man devising good looks for ways to change his stance against his enemy so that the enemy is disarmed by the good man’s compassion exercised in Jesus’ Name. He is devising good among fellow believers and in the household of faith. The one who devises good works with good like a painter splashes colours on canvas. Like a sculptor works with stone removing whatever needs to be taken off, so that the final product is a work of art. Devising good is as attention-grabbing as magnificent art. Better even, because it is so rare in our world.

Those who devise good have been captivated by the beauty of Jesus. Those who devise good have the Holy Spirit of God living in them showing them opportunities for working out good, like an artist designing the next major project. Those who devise good rest in the goodness of God, surprised at how gracious our Good Father is—He is the source of all good. He is the instigator of circumstances where opportunities for good will abound in your life.

Heavenly Father, You are good and Your love endures from generation to generation. Thank You for the men and women who have displayed the evidence of Your goodness in our lives. Thank You for those who have taught us the ways of Jesus. Thank You for the work of Your Holy Spirit Who is directing us to devise good so that others will, with joy, meet Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/-ak0OoFBw3c?si=OmY6T8PbND9GvO1i Good Good Father

August 18, 2026 -- Proverbs 14:16 -- Wise or a wise guy?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,
but a fool is reckless and careless. Proverbs 14:16 ESV
 
There are various possible translations for the second line of today’s proverb. It is one that is hard to accurately translate. I suppose you could explain the contrasting parallelism in this way: One man is wise and the other is a wise-guy, or he is merely wise in his own eyes.
 
The proverbs are filled with descriptions of the one who is wise. In our verse today the wise fears (the ESV translators opted instead for “is cautious”); normally you’d expect to read “fears the LORD”. But the word stands alone. To fear [the LORD] is to be cautious in the face of evil, or temptations, and allow one’s course of action to be determined by the Word. To fear wisely is to be cautious and anticipate what might result from raging or blindly going forward.
 
A fool is one who is dull, or stupid—the evidence of the LORD’s power and presence are all around him, but he refuses to acknowledge it and hardens his heart. The dullard does not worship the God Who created him, sustains him, and gives him breath. He uses the very breath God has put into his lungs to rage against his Creator. The word reckless is translated as “rages” in the King James Version. He rages against wisdom. He is reckless with the gifts of God and the treasure of his life.
 
The next word in the second phrase is variously translated as well, because it literally means: “he trusts”. Implied is the sense he trusts himself—which is why he is stupid—because the wise place their trust in God alone. The man of folly feels secure in himself, though he has no reason to be, his previous foolishness has, most likely, already been exposed in his life many times over, but he ignored the consequences of it then, and now again.
 
In today’s proverb you hear the echo of an earlier one. If you are a fool you are a fool alone, if you are wise you are wise unto the LORD (a loose translation of Proverbs 9:12). Are you acting like a fool, or can you see the wisdom of God taking hold of your heart?
 
O LORD,
the world is artful to entrap,
approaches in fascinating guise,
extends many a gilded bait,
presents many a charming face.
Let my faith scan every painted bauble,
and escape every bewitching snare
in a victory that overcomes all things.
By unbelief I often keep the Lord outside my door.
Let faith give entrance that He may abide with me forever.
  Excerpt from: “Faith and the World” Valley of Vision
 
https://youtu.be/84YASWe3_2Q?si=1iY-GvsTN-RsyiSG Abide with Me
 

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August 17, 2026 -- Proverbs 14:15 -- Who are you believing?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

The simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps. Proverbs 14:15 ESV
 
A simple person is someone who claims to be open minded. He is so open-minded real wisdom falls right out of his head. He believes everything and everyone but is ignorant of the truth. It is a common trait among the people of God. In times of distress and hardship, even the community of faith want easy answers and quick solutions. The Bible is full of examples where the prophets of God spoke truth, and the people chose to believe lying prophets (I Kings 22:6-23; Jeremiah 28; Matthew 7:15-20 to name just a few examples).
 
The prudent are wise to the ways of God and shrewd in their dealings with world. Prudent men and women know the importance of critical thinking. Prudent men and women evaluate according to the word of God: the circumstances, the temptations, or the pressures of others. Even when, or perhaps, especially when, it is unpopular. Prudent men and women are prepared, like Elijah, and Jeremiah of the passages previously cited above, to stand alone and declare the truth of the word of God. It is hard. It is lonely. It is right.
 
Jesus told His followers: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” John 16:33. Those who are in Christ are in the majority. Though the whole world stands against them. As is promised, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4). Now, prudent men and women, go and serve Jesus.
 
O God,
Thou hast done for me all things well,
   hast remembered, distinguished, indulged me.
All my desires have not been gratified,
but thy love denied them to me
when fulfilment of my wishes would have
proved my ruin or injury.
My trials have been fewer than my sins,
   and when I have kissed the rod it has fallen
   from thy hands.
Thou hast often wiped away my tears,
   restored peace to my mourning heart,
   chastened me for my profit.
All thy work for me is perfect,
   and I praise thee.
Excerpt from: “Choices” Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions
 
https://youtu.be/4SvctBsjC08?si=2156D-avX6t4a_zi Black Sheep
 

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August 16, 2026 -- Matthew 21:10b-11 -- Remembering the worst as we remember God's best

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Matthew 21:10b-11 ESV
 
These words were spoken at Jesus’ triumphal entry; on the Sunday we identify as Palm Sunday. Crowds called Jesus, “Jesus of Nazareth”. It is the name of insult, now it seems to be somewhat redeemed. Perhaps spoken in wonder. What it teaches us is that Jesus redeems us from our sin and our shame. The naming of our sin and our past is something we must remember. Why?
 

• When we remember who we were, where we came from, and all that Jesus has done for us, we can praise God with our whole heart.

• When we remember His mercy and reconciling grace, we are not ashamed of our past, but relieved that God knows the absolute worst about ourselves and has redeemed us.

• When we remember all of this, we can show grace to others who are locked in sin and struggling against their past. We can reach out unafraid because we know the powerful love of God breaks chains.

• When we know our own weaknesses and our past failures, we have a clear warning so that we don’t go back to what we were. We are therefore also strong accountability partners for one another, prepared to snatch one another back from going to old sins and old ways.

• When we know our own past, and have made peace with God, we can be patient with those who are less kind, less compassionate, who are pharisaical in their dealings with others.

 
Last Thursday, a part-time chaplain at Springhill Institution taught me this simple prayer. It seems so appropriate as a conclusion to this brief devotion.
 
God help me to see others as You see them.
God help others to see me as You see me.
God help me to see myself as You see me.
Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/A3U0G7OiKJw?si=LbyqUxqdfnVHKtdx
 

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